My son had an AVM rupture 3 years ago.
His first craniotomy rejected his own skull piece .it shrunk.
He had a new manmade piece put in place. He is experiencing headaches in the part of his head he had surgery on.
Has anyone else had headaches?
Siimilar story here. Chronic low-grade headache is something I have lived with for the last 20 years since my aneurysm ruptured and was clipped. If it helps, you do get used to it. I am guessing that the surgeon/neurologist has ruled out correctable causesof your son’s headaches, but if not, you should insist on a work up for potentially treatable causes. I had the original skull repair deterioration that your son had and just had it repaired again. and still have the dull ache. I only use acetaminophen, but I avoid prescription painkillers, which are more dangerous than a headache. I view the headache as skull arthritis,like someone who has had a hip replacement, I had a skull replacement. It’s worse in rainy weather, it’s worse with lack of sleep or stress, worse when traveling, but it’s a fact of life for me. It hasn’t stopped me from enjoying life. You don’t describe how severe the headache is, or how long it has been since the latest surgery. doctors sometimes dismiss headache, because it can mean so many different things. Keep a record of when the headache occurs and any possible precipitating factors, and a rating of severity on a 1 - 10 scale and bring it into the doctor and ask for more attention to the problem. I hope he finds relief in distractions and wish you both the best of luck.
thank you so much . will do the log as you said.
he only used tylenol also.he says he ache is about a 4 on most days.
it is worse at night.
I didn't have a craniotomy...but was coiled...and I am left with terrible migraines but luckily they come only once a month...but they are so awful...I feel for your son...if he hasn't had enough...Did his surgeons tell of headaches as an effect? Does your son see a Neurologist, often they are better with the after care and with headaches neurological related?
I can't imagine what a tough journey for all of you...God Bless...~ Colleen
Hi Leann,
I also have (had) daily headaches since my craniotomy four years ago. Skip the neurologist and go straight to a headache specialist. Most neuros will just prescribe a pill the headache specialist will address the triggers. My trigger is/was my craniotomy site. I have been diagnosised with trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, which is a form of cluster headache. The treatment is oxygen therapy. I tried three different drugs and living on Advil before requesting a consultant with the headache specialist. We are in California and I see dr. Cowan at Stanford, and highly recommend him.
We wish your son the best of luck, and please let him know you don’t have to live with headaches. Life is so much better headache free!